CALIFORNIA -- Lingo Inc (owned by Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc) has repeatedly refused and ignored my requests to stop charging my debit card, as I do not even use their service. I let my mom use my card to pay them once, months ago, and they charge me every month, despite my consistent requests to stop.

Now, I'll have to cancel my card and file a civil claim against them. They also somehow raised their "taxes and fees" from just a couple dollars to almost $30 over this past month. I see online that many people have had this same issue with them, but they continue these illegal practices without any repentance whatsoever (maybe because they're a multinational and think US laws do not apply to them).

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Do not sign up — you'll never get out! Shifting stories and delays from Lingo when I tried to cancel.

Posted by Kate on 03/18/2013

Rating: 1/51

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK -- I was a Lingo customer for eight years. As cell phones made my VoIP service unnecessary, I tried to cancel a few years ago and got talked into a plan that was $1.99 and would provide free incoming calls and voicemail. I let that exist for a while just so I could keep the phone number (as a garbage number). But over the past few years, the charges continued to increaseâ from $2, to $7, then to almost $12.
I'd finally had enough and called to cancel. The attempted phone conversation was hell. A huge language barrier (call center sounds like it's in India or somewhere), combined with their apparent desires to protect only themselves and *not* cancel my account, left me frustrated and getting nowhere. I finally refused to continue the conversation.

I emailed them later to make sure they knew to cancel the account, which is what I was trying to accomplish by phone. They replied that the account had already been canceled and would not be billed further. They then explained that I needed to send my equipment back. They repeatedly insisted upon equipment return but did not promptly send the RMA they said multiple times that they would send.

The billing continued after I was told in writing that my account had been canceled. When I called about this, I was given the alleged reasons why my account was billed again, and the reasons shifted as I countered them. They then shifted focus to the equipment (I noticed this trend in my various conversations with them), and said that they would extend the time limit for returning it to 30 days (from original point of cancellation... And this was phrased as if it was a generous exception they were making on my part despite the fact that an RMA was not sent until a month and a half after my request to cancel the account).

I changed my card number so that they cannot continue to attempt to bill me. Meanwhile, a month-and-a-half later, I finally rec'd the RMA with a letter insisting upon return of the equipment (and its details like "Ethernet cord") that I long-believed my contract fees in '05 supposedly paid for, with a threat to charge my account for $75 if I don't.

My dealings with this company have left me feeling scammed, lied to, and manipulated. If you sign up, be prepared to go through a massive hassle to get yourself untangled from them.

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This company is all a SCAM they steal from the innocent!

Posted by ABarrett on 06/08/2011

MCLEAN, VIRGINIA -- Primus Telecom is the owner of Lingo Voip Phone Service. My name, bank information, Mobile line and signature was fraudulently used to open a home phone service account. I spoke to a Deepak in the security department who disguised himself a CCP which I later learned that he is actually the supervisor of that department. I explained the situation to Mr. DEEPAK who was extremely rude, irate and argumentative with me and his conclusion was that this was not a fraudulent account. I had the police investigate the situation where they stated they spoke to whomever in the security department and they claimed that whomever they spoke to stated that I opened the account and I am the account holder. Although the police mentioned to whomever they spoke with that I do not live at the stated address, nor am I the owner of the email address used to open the account could not further investigate and had advised me to call headquarters to speak to someone further or to file a small claims suit. Before I went further with the police's advice I called Lingo's customer service one more time and spoke to a KAREN who advised me that she will make sure that this account be closed and that I will in fact receive a refund of the funds taken out of my account; she will call me to let me know the status. It did not dawn on me until today that Karen could not call me back since she did not have my phone number so I called Lingo back again today and spoke to another CCP which stated that Karen did notate all of what she told me but that who ever investigated in further notated that this was not a fraudulent account.

So since I was advised by the police to call headquarters; I did that today where I spoke to an IRINA who is the manager of customer care which stated to me that there was nothing that she can do since their security department is of their own company and she cannot override their decision. She has stated to me that she will contact the supervisor in that department to contact me. I asked her who that person was and that is when I learned that the so called CCP in the security department that I spoke to was in fact the supervisor of the department. I have been back and forth with this for a month now...unaware that this account was actually opened long before then and has been withdrawing monies from my account. They finally suspended the account which does not do anything because I will still have to cancel my bank account and get a new one just because this company refuses to investigate further. I have lost a lot of money due to this situation and nothing is being done to resolve it. I hate to have to file a lawsuit for something that could have been resolved with just a push a button but if not further investigated I will be force to. I just want the account closed and to be refunded what ever was taken out of my bank account. I have a home phone number. I cannot use Voip phone because I myself am a Customer Care Professional at home which it is required to have a home phone in order to take calls. I have had this home phone service since 2010 of February.

So I don't see how this makes any sense. I just want my name off of this account and my money back. Ms. IRINA has stated to me that I can contact whomever whether it be her president's office or the BBB, etc. that this is scam and she handles all of the complaints and all she will do is say that it has been handled. And then hung up on me. I would like for this account to be removed and for the monthly charges plus insufficient fund charges be replaced back into my account. I want my debit card information to be removed.

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This company is terrible all around

Posted by Tiffany on 06/01/2011

I got this service and paid $27.95 for my first "free" month and the Lingo box. I got it, hooked it up and it got used for 3 incoming and 3 outgoing calls the first week. After those calls, it no longer worked. I called and cancelled, but I was billed for a full month $29.95. I called them and cancelled again, the customer service lady said she would knock the bill down to $10.95 a month, I told her no to cancel it. I got charged $10.95 the next month. Finally I called, got a supervisor and got it cancelled. I got a confirmation e-mail it was actually cancelled. To be safe, I ordered a new card and cancelled the card they had on file so they couldn't take my money anymore. Then, I got an e-mail from customer service telling me I had a $99 cancellation fee. I wrote back and told them they can no longer charge my card as I've changed it and I've been cancelling for months, that I would be happy to send the modem/device back. They wrote me again and told me to disregard the last e-mail, I owed them nothing.

Here we are two months later and I get a phone call w/ someone telling me they put the money back in my bank account, which my bank shows is NOT there. Then she asks if I have the modem. I told her yes I'd be happy to send it back. She asked what happened with the service and told her everything I typed above and she said she needed to look and see how much activity was on my account. I told her I didn't know the number, she'd have to look it up. She confirmed the 6 calls in the "free trial" period, but there was still nothing showing I cancelled in time, so I am still liable for the cancellation fee and that I need to send the modem back. She said I owed them $45 or something. Anyway, she says to take care of this, she will transfer me to customer service, then she says "Since you remember what your number was this won't be an issue..." and she tried to keep going but I cut her off screaming at her "See this is the problem, you and your reps DON'T listen! I just told you I DIDN'T remember the damn phone number! Your company sucks and I don't owe you anything!!" Then I hung up.

Do NOT give these people your card info. It was so bad I filed fraud with my bank. Stay away from them, they are a nightmare!

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Cheating Company - Never Sign Up.

Posted by Denny on 03/20/2013

Rating: 1/51

DALLAS, TEXAS -- This company offered me 40 days free service and $9.75 for the following six months and then regular charge of $23 per month for the international phone service without a contract. I was suspicious about this company from various reviews, but accepted it due to their good offers. Since I was vigilant of their service, I was closely mionitoring them.

Immediately after 30 days they charged me full payment of $23, where I was to get 40 days free and 6 months 9.75 rate. I called the customer support and spoke to them where they said we have offer only 30 days free and then full charge. When I spoke to them about what they said in the beginning, they acted like they don't know it. When I told them to cancel my account, they want to charge me another 9.95 for return shipment, where the shipping address is very close to my house. They said I can hand deliver it, but they will have to charge as per their policy.

I am happy that I did not transfer my line to Lingo, otherwise I would have been in a deep pit from which I can never come out.
I don't recommend this product to anybody and suggest you to stay away from their offers, because they don't keep their promises.

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Licensed Criminals Stay Away At All Costs!!!!!

Posted by LingoHater on 07/28/2009

These criminals are the scum of the earth! They overcharged my bank card and cost me three $35.00 overdraft charges! I emailed my bank statement showing their criminality and they refuse to reimburse me for the $105.00. I will be suing them in small claims court and I will be relentless in revealing their criminal enterprise. Do yourself a favor and run from these creeps! Don't let them screw you as they have me.

They don't even deserve a rating, they're world-class losers! One thing, revenge is sweet! Lingo, you screwed with the wrong dude this time you filthy scum!

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Beware Of Lingo (Read These Reviews)

Posted by stingrayann on 07/05/2009

After having a harrowing experience with the Lingo customer care folks a few days ago (end June-2009), I was checking the internet to see if I was alone. To my surprise, I have come across many reviews written by people about their experiences with Lingo/Primus over the last few months. As happens most of the times, one either does not do much research on a company, products or its services when the deal looks really nice or we simply ignore any poor experience shared on the web thinking that these are either disgruntled customers and there are still many more who avail the services of the company. We forget that not everyone takes the time or makes the effort to share their experiences on the web through reviews. I appreciate those who have done this so that fellow consumers can benefit from their experiences. Its time we get wiser and not let companies get away with mis-treating customers.

Only after one goes through a very poor experience does one look out and then gets shocked to see the experiences other have been through. For the benefit of others, I have put together a brief list of links that I think could help others if they are Lingo customers or do intend to become one in the future -

Here is one where the phone number of a senior person at Primus Telecommunications is available (will be helpful for those who are having issues with the company or are being given a run-around by their customer service folks)

http://www.my3cents.com/showReview.cgi?id=57528

Hope each of you reading this review wake up and don't burn your fingers with this company. BEWARE OF LINGO!!!!

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Terrible Customer Service

Posted by lingo stinks on 06/27/2009

Lingo customer service people take the prize for knowing how to make a customer mad. I called their helpline to get my issue resolved. Spoke to the staff who did not appear knowledgeable, but promised a callback. I waited for few days and did not hear from them. Called the helpline again and wanted to speak to a supervisor. The representative did not get the supervisor but continued to talk. HEY, LISTEN TO THE CUSTOMER FOR A CHANGE!!!!! I was on the phone for quite sometime and the representative kept arguing with me .... I don't know where Lingo found such poor staff for their customer service department.

I checked with others who used or continue to use Lingo that one needs to call their senior management and issues get resolved then. I located the number 703-902-2810. Did want to share this so that others getting the run-around by the customer service department can call this number and get help.

I sincerely hope Lingo get more knowledgeable people on the phones, who can help customers. I need a service that works and people who can help in the hour of need. I am not paying for poor service! If this isn't fixed, I will take this to the BBB and FCC.

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Lingo is the Mafia Version of VOIP...

Posted by Lingo on 06/11/2009

Back in March 2008, I decided I was getting tired of my $40+ phone bill with my landline company and decided to give Lingo VOIP a shot. They sent me the kit and I was all set up under a 1 year contract. Then the problems began! The call quality was horrible, I’d say a 2 out of 10 on a quality scale plus I would get frequent dropped and lost calls. I called and complained about it and it continued to be bad. Then I had issues with the Lingo service not detecting the touch tone dial buttons from my newer phone on many different occasions when calling various companies. This issue was never resolved as well.

Now the billing nightmares begin! The bills started out at around $25 but kept on creeping up to about $35 a month which was getting close to what I was paying with a landline with much better quality and service. So around November of 2008, I decided to get rid of the service but did not want to be charged a cancellation fee of $100. So, I downgraded my package to the smallest one which was supposed to be around $10 a month to hold out until March came along when I can get out of contract. Lingo continued to bill me my regular rate of $35 a month even after I downgraded! I called and complained for them to credit my account. Never done! So, I was desperately awaiting March to arrive and I cancelled and thought, finally, I get to dump this crappy company. But oh no, they decided to still charge me a cancellation fee about a month or so later! I called and complained every week for 3 weeks and they told me they would credit my account (within 3-5 days) and it was an error. They lied, still no money! Being paranoid that I was dealing with the mob version of VOIP, I cancelled my card so they wouldn’t get any more ideas and bill me. I then called one last time and told them to send me a check or I will sue and also create a website dedicated to consolidating fraudulent cases by other Lingo victims. Still no refund to this day!

[snip - no solicitations please]

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Service

Posted by Rob on 12/09/2012

Rating: 5/51

SALEM, OREGON -- I had an hour and a half conversation with my brother in England and the sound quality was excellent on both ends.